Shohei Ohtani Set for Record $700M Contract With Dodgers
NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has set a financial record along with his unique on-field performance, getting a major 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, announced the historic deal with a midafternoon news release on Saturday, ending months of speculation that began even before Ohtani became a free agent on Nov. 2. The whole ordeal led to detectivelike efforts to discern Ohtani’s intentions, with fans and media tracking private plane movements and alleged sightings.
“This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player,” Balelo said. He also quoted Ohtani as being excited to begin a new partnership.
The $700 million total was 64% higher than baseball’s previous record, a $426.5 million, 12-year deal for Angels outfielder Mike Trout. His $70 million average annual salary is 62% above the previous high held by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.
Ohtani’s new agreement with the Dodgers include deferred money to lower the amount it counts toward the team’s luxury tax payroll. Some sources are calling it the largest contract in sports history, exceeding highs believed to be set by soccer stars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
In a statement on Instagram, Ohtani apologized for taking so long to come to a decision and expressed gratitude to the Angels organization and the fans. He also pledged to give his all for the Dodgers and the baseball world.
Ohtani joins a Dodgers lineup that also includes 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts and 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers won the NL West this year for the 10th time in 11 seasons before being swept by Arizona in the Division Series in October.
Ohtani is known for revolutionizing the modern baseball game by excelling as a two-way player, both on the plate and on the mound. He is a unanimous AL MVP in 2021 and 2023, winning in 2021 despite injuries.
He is set to join the Dodgers as they start the 2024 season in Seoul, South Korea, against the San Diego Padres on March 20-21.
Ohtani has redefined modern baseball since he chose to join the Angels and has become one of the most marketable athletes in the world.
The deal comes after a fruitful six years with the Los Angeles Angels where Ohtani despite his individual brilliance, experienced significant challenges achieving team success. His Angels have never made the playoffs.
It’s a major shift in Ohtani’s career and probably the most important move he has made since agreeing to join the Angels as his first major league team.